Last week I made it to the Y twice for training. The first time was a waste and I gave up after about 15 minutes. The second trip was better and I rode for an hour and my average heart rate was 166, topping out at 184 doing interval training.
Finally Saturday I got to get in a real ride and I remembered why I punish myself during the week.
There are several places to ride within 15 minutes of my house but the most common destination is the web of trails off Sewell School Road in Chapel Hill. The main advantage there is they are not managed by the Parks department and do not close due to muddy conditions. This was the case Saturday, but the weather was great and after the first mud puddle it does not really matter. Puddles add another dimension when riding because you can not always tell how deep they are. Losing traction is also an issue but mainly you just have to stay balanced and work a little harder. Approaching a long puddle makes you pick a line beforehand because trying to turn quickly can cause trouble. I made it the whole ride without ever stepping in mud but splashing left me pretty splattered anyway. These conditions are ideal for single speed because mud can play havoc with derailliers and chains weaving through the tensioners.
Climbing hills becomes more challenging because of the reduced traction. Letting some air out of the rear tire can help get more tread on the surface.
